Constant Trickle - Autumn Migration in Action

The past two week's been quite good for regular migrants, with a constant stream of migrants trickling through, we are seeing very good numbers of Siberian Blue Robins, probably the highest counts I can remember. Numerous birds been reported throughout Hong Kong, including Shing Mun, Tai Lam, Shui Hau and of course Ho Man Tin, where I connected with this extremely bold immature male, it probably just arrived and was not shy at all. 

Siberian Blue Robin - juvenile male

Grey Nightjars are regular migrants through Hong Kong, and been recorded annually at Ho Man Tin the past few years, two of these interesting birds were found by birders, it was hard to say no to seeing this cryptic species roosting during the day.

Grey Nightjar

Young Crested Goshawks seems to be dispersing at the moment, one taken up residence at Ho Man Tin lately, another was seen at Lai Chi Kok Park, this species is quite adaptable and often found in urban parks as well as in well forested areas.

Crested Goshawk - immature

Over at Lai Chi Kok Park, a fruiting Big-leaved Fig attracted a lot of birds, including numerous Asian Koels, as well as constant stream of Black-collared and White-shouldered Starlings.

Asian Koel

White-shouldered Starling

The star bird of the show though were a few Daurian Starlings mixed in with the White-shouldered Starlings. September is always a good time to look for these rarer starlings, and if you find the right tree you surely will not be disappointed!

Daurian Starling

I did not have a lot of luck over at Tai Lam, while I did see a Tiger Shrike briefly and caught a glimpse of an Amur Paradise Flycatchers, both of them were gone before I could reach for my camera. The site is hosting good numbers of migratory warblers though, mainly Arctic Warblers and quite a few uncooperative Eastern Crowned Warblers, Pale-legged Leaf Warblers were also in good supplies, their slightly higher pitched calls are usually enough to distinguish between Sakhalin Leaf Warblers.

Arctic Warbler

Eastern Crowned Warbler

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler

Starlings & Harriers - Deep Bay Day Out

Still no major rarity yet this autumn, the best birds I managed lately was a juvenile Rosy Starling at Tai Sang Wai, Yuen saw an adult male a few days ago, making it the second bird this month. Among the same flock of starlings was a single Daurian Starling, which seems to be in no short supply this year! I am not complaining, as they are quite good looking birds. They were feeding on the Chinaberry trees, which often attracts lots of starlings.

 

Rosy Starling - juvenile

Daurian Starling - nice looking adult

The fish ponds around San Tin and Tai Sang Wai are always worth a look during passage, I was hoping for Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, but was disappointed to find the overhead wires empty. A distant Black-winged Kite was probably the best bird I managed other than the starlings. A few extremely confiding Little Ringed Plovers provided plenty of photo opportunity, while a few returning dabbling ducks was a pleasant sight, I saw both Eurasian Wigeons and Northern Shovelers swimming around the fish ponds.

Black-winged Kite

Little Ringed Plover

Eurasian Wigeon

Mai Po was a little bit quiet, although two Eastern Marsh Harriers gave quite a wonderful show in front of hide 3. Both birds were juvenile, but one showed conspicuous white rump. 

Eastern Marsh Harrier

The other bird with barely any white rump. For some reason, most wintering birds in Hong Kong are of juveniles, adult male or female are rather uncommon. A Pied Harrier been seen lately, but didn't show up while I was there.

Eastern Marsh Harrier

The only other bird of interest on the scrape was a single Ruff that was very far away. Wader numbers now in higher numbers, although mostly just common species, such as numerous Eurasian Curlews, I scanned for Far Eastern Curlew with no luck. I found a flock of Pacific Golden Plovers along the fenced road, now in their modest looking winter plumage.

Ruff - amongst other common waders

Eurasian Curlew

Pacific Golden Plover

A Fairy Pitta was reported at Ho Man Tin on 6th, I managed to go there after work in the afternoon, managed a good look of this incredible species, despite this individual being very shy. It is always a thrill to see this spectacular looking bird, and even more incredible to think that they come through urban areas every year! 

Fairy Pitta

Underway! Autumn Migration

Autumn migration started for nearly half a month, unfortunately I have been busy with work and barely had any time for birds, finally got most of my work done and was able to free up a morning for some birding! My top target was a Daurian Starling thats been seen at Mai Po, I have seen them many times in Hong Kong but never been able to get any decent photos. I was delighted to find not just one, but two Daurian Starlings feeding in a few ficus trees along the access road! They showed briefly at first but finally came into one of the closer trees to feed and gave great views.

Daurian Starling

They were not the only starlings feeding in those trees, with them were lots of White-shouldered Starlings, they are similar size to the Daurian Starlings, therefore can be confusing when searching for the odd one out in the field, but their greyish white backs and pale eyes are a dead giveaway.

White-shouldered Starling

Its that time of the year again where hundreds of Arctic Warblers passes through, they were in no short supply, you can either find them gleaning for insects in the trees or hear their 'chit-chit' call up above.

Arctic Warbler

In the same tree as the starlings were at least two Asian Brown Flycatchers, these returning migrants are highly under rated, while a common species during passage, they are great fun to watch, the two were chasing each other from time to time and often gave close views when perched.

Asian Brown Flycatcher

It is no autumn migration without any Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, was happy to catchup with this one, also in the same tree as the starlings! It was really quite shy and only showed briefly before chased away by an Asian Brown Flycatcher.

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher

I've not had much luck birding elsewhere, I visited Tai Lam and Tai Po Kau once earlier in the month, both outings were highly disappointing where I saw ZERO migrants. Although many of our local residents still showed well, including a Pygmy Cupwing, many Blue-winged Minlas, numerous Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and last but not least a few Speckled Piculet.

Pygmy Cupwing

Blue-winged Minla

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

Speckled Piculet

One of the Brown-breasted Flycatcher at Tai Po Kau remained till early September, it showed well not far away from their nesting site, hopefully after this successful breeding season they will be back again next year.

Brown-breasted Flycatcher

Its never a bad time to look for Savanna Nightjar, while they are not vocal anymore come autumn, its not difficult to find them sitting quietly in the middle of the road at night, as long as you go slowly they can be fairly confiding.

Savanna Nightjar